MOT failed on emissions 52 plate mini cooper

[Tatie-Tot]

My car had an MOT and service today and failed on emissions

I own a Mini Cooper, 52 plate (2003) which has only done 30,000 miles. I only do about 5000 miles a year if that. The guy has put some cleaning fluid in and given the car a good blast down the motorway to clear it out but its still no better.

I have been told it will be a good idea to change the rear silencer and if that doesn't work, change the cat converter. All of which will be very expensive

Can anyone offer any advice as to what I can try without spending hundreds of pounds???

Any help appreciated

Thanks

[mab01uk]

Did they try using this product below? I have read good reports of success when using this in Car Mechanics magazine during their tests:
CataClean Global Ltd. - Proof It Works

[stead34]

Are there any warning lights on to warn you of this??? You dont need to just go ahead and change the Cat just inspect it, If its fitted with a downstream oxy sensor then this should of picked up as a fault, but on a 52 plate I dont think there fitted as they came out on euro 4 vehicles if my mind serves me correctly, so the efficiency of the cat isnt monitored, Why change the rear silencer, as its only a silencer

[marque]

Hi ya
I would get it plug a diagnostic machine and see if there is any fault codes.
I don't understand changing the rear silencer that's about the same as changing the indicator bulb to fix the emissions.
I have a feeling you might find its an oxegen sensor or it's heating element on its way out,
Just looked this up for you Mini state
"in the case of the pre catalyst oxygen sensor failure a fault code is stored in the ECM. The fuel injection system switches to preactivation. The car can display poor running characteristics and rough idling and or high exhaust emissions".
Also from what I can remember the post catalyst oxygen sensor will bring on the Engine management light but the pre cat one does not it just stores a fault code.
It Sounds like you need to take it to someone who nose what there doing and not just changing bits At you expense
Hope this helps you out

[stead34]

Remove the spark plugs and have a look at the burn on them, if they are sooted then this is a sure sign its the engine running rich, these days they always look on the lean side due to the strict emmision laws, make sure the burn is equal and the condition is servicable, also a vacuum gauge is a great way of checking running problems if you know what your looking for. But a easy check for someone with some knowledge is to remove plugs. Check the condition, if they look ok, remove the cat and check that also, if they are sooted then book into a garage unless you have more knowledge to do tests with a multimeter on the oxy sensor. Also air filter, valve timing can be checked